Been to see four vans so far, an Eldiss Shamal (that should have been renamed Eldiss Shed - it was that rotten, didn't have heart to tell female seller, if I pushed the front window frame the whole thing moved an inch, without a lot of effort). A Bucanneer that I wished I'd never even looked inside of! An Abbey Surrey - which was also quite rotten with uneven floor and damp in the rear cupboard (and some weird hooks in the floor - what could these be http://davidmbell.com/elddis/abbey_surrey.jpg? Finally and most expensive of the three (budget was meant to be £1000 but nothing around for that) the above Elddis 'Golden' Crown Signet.
But not much anywhere for the GOLDEN Crown Signet....
Anyway, apart from their not being much online about it, does this seem a reasonable price?
It is in pretty good condition for its age. Pretty much spotless inside, odd ding outside, but been in same family since new, solid underneath and no signs of damp inside. Needs a spruce up outside (can I machine polish it?) as its been sat a while, but from what I've seen of what you get for £1500 or so, they're either rot boxes or very basic older vans.
This seems well specced and sprung mattresses, a decent size bed area, good awning etc etc. Any tips of what to look for?
Want to pay £1200 but seller not budging on £1600 (knocking £50 off)
What's it worth?
Thanks, look forward to many future messages about my new purchase!
I would think that the 'Golden' was a dealer special addition? I'm sure someone else will have a better idea then me though!
I would say if the van is in good condition with a full awning then £1600 isn't a bad price at all, we sold our last 'van (1991) for not much less.
If you give it a good wash with some good caravan cleaner, not a jet wash, and use something like Bobby Dazzler as a rinse you may be surprised how well it comes up. Would also get it booked in for a service especially as it has stood for a while, they will check it all over for you including your tyres and towing gear.
Good luck!
Andi
PS: strange hooks - could they have added them to secure something in the other caravan when towing maybe?
We've just bought an Elddis Crown Magnum which is a dealer special based on the Avante. The measurements are the same as the Avante except that the Magnum is not as tall & the colour scheme is different. We bought ours from a dealer so it came with full service history & we had a comprehensive handover.
You could ask a mobile mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection or as mentioned above, go ahead & buy it but put it straight in for service to make sure everything is safe & as it should be.
I remember the "Crown" range being an Elddis brand rather than a dealer special, pitched slightly below the main Elddis ranges with slightly more angular lines and simple rear mouldings.
The "Golden" Crown was an up-specced version of the basic model with better upholstery and a bit more kit, we looked at one years ago and it seemed a nice, lightweight decently put together van. I think at the time they also had a layout or two which was unusual in its day and not available in any of the main Elddis models at the time.
Is it a good price? Without seeing and prodding it you really can`t tell, but at your budget condition is far more important than age (as I frequently tell my wife!), and it looks superficially sound and tidy. Can you get someone who knows about vans to go with you to check it over and perhaps identify any areas of concern which you can use as a bargaining tool?
Quote: Originally posted by Tunstallwood on 05/5/2011
I would think that the 'Golden' was a dealer special addition? I'm sure someone else will have a better idea then me though!
I would say if the van is in good condition with a full awning then £1600 isn't a bad price at all, we sold our last 'van (1991) for not much less.
If you give it a good wash with some good caravan cleaner, not a jet wash, and use something like Bobby Dazzler as a rinse you may be surprised how well it comes up. Would also get it booked in for a service especially as it has stood for a while, they will check it all over for you including your tyres and towing gear.
Good luck!
Andi
PS: strange hooks - could they have added them to secure something in the other caravan when towing maybe?
Thanks Andi, it is in pretty good condition, certainly compared to the others I've viewed so far, and that included some at a local dealer (dealer is a loose term, they're some local place that tidies up and services vans that are a bit older and outside the more expensive and perhaps reputable dealerships).
Maybe I was a bit jaded as to what £1500 buys you. Lots of vans look great in photos, and I've learned this quickly after a couple of viewings. Its certainly turned me off getting vaguely excited about a van online - or on ebay - until I've given it a good once over.
RE those hooks, no idea, there were two of them either side of the van in between the front dining area and the cupboards - wonder if they had a motorbike or somethign strapped to it.. By the state of the van it wouldn't suprise me, although the (rather scrotey) seller didn't know - or wouldn't admit what they were...
Quote: Originally posted by Angus1215 on 05/5/2011
I remember the "Crown" range being an Elddis brand rather than a dealer special, pitched slightly below the main Elddis ranges with slightly more angular lines and simple rear mouldings.
The "Golden" Crown was an up-specced version of the basic model with better upholstery and a bit more kit, we looked at one years ago and it seemed a nice, lightweight decently put together van. I think at the time they also had a layout or two which was unusual in its day and not available in any of the main Elddis models at the time.
Is it a good price? Without seeing and prodding it you really can`t tell, but at your budget condition is far more important than age (as I frequently tell my wife!), and it looks superficially sound and tidy. Can you get someone who knows about vans to go with you to check it over and perhaps identify any areas of concern which you can use as a bargaining tool?
Ah at last some clarity on things. This hunt has certainly identified and reminded me how relatively new the internet still is (and I'm a web designer for a living) things beyond about 2000 just don't seem to exist anywhere online. Thankfully there's this excellent resource where like minded folk hang out!
BTW what defines a van as being luxury (in 1995 anyway?)
OK so it's not a top of the range, but its got sprung mattresses rather than foam, quite nice material, cassette loo, fly/blackout blinds, everything most other vans has, lots of mains sockets, oven, decent size fridge, full end bathroom with seperate sink, slide out mesh rack storage in kitchen, leisure battery side cupboard etc etc?
Not sure what I am guaging it against.What was luxury in 95? My parents had a 2003 Coachman Pastiche and its not too much different in terms of spec than that (no cd player).
Steep learning curve this isn't it!
Going to see it again tonight, and will have another prod / poke.
Already had a good look in all cupboards, under the seats, in all drawers, under the carpet, behind the curtains and saw no signs of any sponginess, no peeling or delaminating. Had a close look round all window seals and nothing looked too bad.
The underside looked almost new to me!
As I said its been in the same family since new, and being sold as family realise not getting use out of it. Its got every piece of paperwork since new, big awning with annex, water carriers (in their own protective bags) and a plastic runner covering up the carpet - so clearly owned by someone who cared.
The seller (who is the granddaughter of the old fella that owns it) also let me know that her partner is a mechanic, and he's done the work on the van, in terms of if it needs brakes or anything. Seems a nice family/house etc and as van is looked after in every other respect I've no reason to doubt its roadworthiness.
When you go back tonight and it still looks sound I would say buy it, it clearly seems as if they have taken very good care of it.
You don't have to have a stabiliser all caravans can be towed without one, you can if you want to add one either a bar type or buy an alko hitch and swap it with the hitch that is on there already, we did this on the last van after leaving the tightening tool thingy (sorry not very technical blonde female trait!) behind on site once or twice and having to go back for it
Sprung seating is always a bonus and probably makes a higher spec, that and the better upholstery (you can always change that it you want to!) possibly just an overall better finish.
I've been a right div, I'd collated the pics I have of the van into one page, and I meant to link to that in my first post, but forgot to put the link in!
Yep, thats the beast I remember (you see what I mean about the simple back panel).
I bought a van off an elderly gentleman I`d known for a long time quite a few years ago, and like this one it only looked a fraction of its age. Also came with top quality everything, and I kept it for 6 years then sold it for what I`d paid for it.
If you`re happy its sound, get it bought!
You shouldn`t need a stabilser, but if the van tows OK without one (which I expect it will), then just regard it as a bit of peace of mind that may smooth the tow.
Hi David - I think we may be located in roughtly the same place and I may be following in your footsteps round the internet (or at least perhaps round gumtree/preloved or perhaps Ebay). Sorry I can't help with your questions as am still trying to pick up answers myself, but I'd pondered going to see a Shamal this week and you may just have saved me an email - was it a 1991 model, by any chance, in a place beginning with P?
Quote: Originally posted by White Rose on 05/5/2011
Hi David - I think we may be located in roughtly the same place and I may be following in your footsteps round the internet (or at least perhaps round gumtree/preloved or perhaps Ebay). Sorry I can't help with your questions as am still trying to pick up answers myself, but I'd pondered going to see a Shamal this week and you may just have saved me an email - was it a 1991 model, by any chance, in a place beginning with P?
I've been corectly warned by my better half about what I say on a public forum, so I'll not say any more on that aforementioned Shamal. PM me if you like.
BTW I went for the Elddis Golden Crown Signet - had another mooch around underneath, inside cupboards, under beds, got all electrics working, fridge cooling etc etc. Got a little knocked off and left deposit. Just need to do some Credit Card shifting of balances and pay for it!
May be some more pics to follow.
Thanks to all that have contributed to the thread!
David PS that stabilisor is the same make is the one in the van - bonus!
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Topic: Elddis `Golden` Crown Signet?
